Kukla's Korner Hockey

Who are the most likely players to fall short of their efforts in 2013? That’s the focus of this week’s Top 10.

Kris Letang: An offensive defenseman on an attacking zone team, Letang’s output took a sharp uptick in 2011-12 and then went even higher in 2013. With 38 points in 35 games, Letang tied with Norris Trophy winner P.K. Subban as the top blueline scorer – and he did it in seven fewer games. But despite this rising trend now three years running, does anyone expect Letang to hit 89 points to match last year’s pace? The last time any defenseman even hit 80 was Nicklas Lidstrom in 2005-06 – the free-flowing first year after the lost season.

Troy Brouwer: The Washington Capitals didn’t get Brouwer for his scoring, but he posted similar totals over 47 games last season to what he had posted over full seasons the three years prior. The 19 goals he scored was the second-highest mark of his career. His NHL-high for points is 40, but he’d have to register 58 points this season to keep up his short season pace.